AN GAODHAL.
907
I am exiled by him?" "God is powerful for that,"
said Ciaran. They then set up the pole, and Diar¬
maid made an offering of the place to God and St.
Ciaran.
Diarmaid had a foster-brother in his train. This
man's name was Maelmora. When he heard
the prophetic words of the saint, he formed a res¬
olution to verify them. With this purpose he set
out, on horseback, to a place called Grellach Eillti
(in the north part of the modern county of West¬
meath,) where he had learned that the monarch
Tuathal then was, and having by stratagem gained
access to his presence, he struck him in the breast
with his spear and killed him. It is needless to
say that Maolmora was himself killed on the
spot. Hower, no sooner was Tuathal dead than
Diarmaid's friends sought him out and brought
him to Tara, and the very next day he was pro¬
claimed monarch of Erinn.
Diarmaid continued to be a bountiful bonefactor
to Clonmacnois, and under his munificent patron¬
age the Eglais beg, or Little Church, soon became
the centre around which were grouped no less than
seven churches, two Cloictechs, or Round Towers.
and a large and important town, the lone ruins of
which now form so picturesque an object on the
east bank of the Shannon, about seven miles be¬
low Athlone.
Clonmacnois continued to be the seat of learn¬
ng and sanctity, the retreat of devotion and soli¬
tude, and the favorite place of interment for the
kings, chiefs and nobles of both sides of the Shan¬
non, for a thousand years after the founder's time,
till the rude hand of the dispoiler plundered its
shrines, profaned its sanctuaries, murdered or ex¬
iled its peaceful occupants, and seized on its sa¬
cred property.
(To be continued.)
A LITERARY CURIOSITY.
THE BLESSING OF DUNERAILE.
THE PALLINODE.
Most humbly dedicated to Lady Doner¬
aile.
(CONCLUDED.)
How vastly pleasing is my tale,
I found my watch at Doneraile,
My Dublin watch, my chain and seal
Were all restored at Doneraile,
May fire and brimstone ever fail
To hurt or injure Doneraile,
May neither fiend nor foe assail
The gen'rous town of Doneraile.
May lightning never singe the vale,
That leads to Darling Doneraile,
May Pompeii's fate at old Pharsale
Be still revers'd at Doneraile.
May beef and mutton, lamb and veal
Plenty create at Doneraile
May garlic soup and skurvy kale
No palate spoil in Doneraile.
May neither frog nor creeping snail
Subtract the crop of Doneraile.
May heaven each chosen bliss entail
On honest, friendly Doneraile.
May Sol or Lune never fail
To shine and blaze at Doneraile.
May every soft ambrosial gale
Waft every bliss to Doneraile.
May ev'ry cuckoo, thrush and quail
A concert form at Donraile.
May ev'ry Post. Gazette and Mail
Glad tidings bring to Doneraile.
May no harsh thunder ring a peal
To incommode sweet Doneraile.
May profit high and spedy sale
Enlarge the trade of Doneraile.
May fame resound a pleasing tale
Of ev'ry joy at Doneraile.
May Egypt's plagues forever fail
To hurt or injure Donerail.
May Oscar with his fiery flail
Thresh all the loss of Doneraile.
May all from Belfast to Kinsale
Be half as good as Doneraile.
May choicest flour and oatmeal
Be still to spare at Doneraile.
May want or woe no joy curtail
That’s always known at Doneraile.
No coffin that grim death shall nail
Can wrap a rogue in Doneraile.
There are no thieves to rob or steal
Within two leagues of Doneraile.
Sure all the sons of Granuweal.
May well be proud of Doneraile.
May no dire monster stark or whale
Annoy or torture Doneraile.
May no disaster e'er assail
The bliss and peace of Doneraile.
May ev'ry transport wont to sail
Increase the wealth of Doneraile.
May every churn and milking pail
Overflow with cream at Doneraile.
May cold and hunger ne'er congeal
The precious blood of Doneraile.
May every hour new joys reveal
To crown the bliss of Doneraile.
May ev'ry sweet that can reveal
New odors waft to Doneraile.
May no corroding ill prevail
To damp the joys of Doneraile.
May ev'ry wish and pray'r avail
To crown the peace at Doneraile.
May the inquisitoin ne'er impale
Or hurt a limb of Doneraile.
May Sodom's curse ne'er prevail
To sicken and torture Donerail.
May Charon's boat forever sail
Without a man from Doneraile.
May gallows gibbets, stocks and gaol
Appear a wreck at Doneraile.
And may its Lady never fail
Thousand new joys at Doneraile.
